Coping with stress: Divergent strategies of optimists and pessimists.

Dec 1, 1986Journal of personality and social psychology

Stress coping strategies differ between optimists and pessimists

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Abstract

Two studies found modest but reliable positive correlations between optimism and various adaptive coping strategies.

  • Optimism is linked to problem-focused coping and seeking social support during stressful situations.
  • Optimists tend to emphasize the positive aspects of stressors.
  • Pessimism is associated with denial and distancing from stressors.
  • Pessimists are more likely to focus on negative feelings and disengage from related goals.
  • A positive correlation exists between optimism and acceptance/resignation when events are viewed as uncontrollable.

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